I very much thank the Deputy for raising this issue. I am glad the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Rabbitte, is present to listen to his comments. There was not much we disagreed with on the substance of his points, quite frankly. In fairness to the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, there was not much she would disagree with either. The bottom line is no decision has been made about this. I apologise on behalf of the Minister of State that she is not present. She is attending the Middl…

I had better continue this because it is the important part.

Yes, but this is important. One of the options being discussed-----

I accept that, but this is the nub of the issue. One of the options being discussed by the Minister of State, Deputy Madigan, is to open-----

As I said, it is a proposal, not a decision.

As the Deputy noted, the draft proposal is an option, not a decision. That is what the Minister of State emphasised to me today. This is very much at an early stage and subject to further engagement. I am glad that some engagement has already happened, with strong views being expressed at the meeting and in public statements. Clearly, further significant work is required to progress this matter. The key goal is for the constitutional right to education for children with special educational needs to be fulfilled. Th…

May I propose that the fourth Topical Issue matter be heard next? I am taking that as well. I believe I have agreement from the Deputies.

I thank the House.

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Teachta as an ábhar seo a ardú agus an deis a thabhairt dom, ar son an Aire Tithíochta, Rialtais Áitiúil agus Oidhreachta, déileáil leis. I thank the Deputy for raising this issue and giving me an opportunity to address it on behalf of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, who cannot be present but who sends his apologies. Group water schemes are independent community-owned enterprises and an important means of providing piped water to rural areas where no such supply exi…

Gabhaim mo bhuíochas arís leis an Teachta as an obair atá á dhéanamh aige i gCill Chéile i gContae Chill Dara maidir leis an uisce lofa atá ansin agus chun dul chun cinn a dhéanamh agus feabhas a chur ar an uisce sin. I thank the Deputy again for his comments. His interest and representations are very much appreciated in the Department. The Department will be announcing funding for its multi-annual rural water programme and we will see details of that shortly. I urge the Deputy to, as he said he would, keep in touc…

Tá áthas orm a rá agus a fháil amach gur foilsíodh an Bille aitheantais agus teanga inniu i dTeach na dTiarnaí i Londain. I am really happy the identity and language Bill has been introduced to the House of Lords. We wish that safe and successful passage as soon as possible. Many Deputies raised it and is ábhar an-tábhachtach é seo. No language is a threat to anybody. Tá teangacha ag an mBreatain amhail an Choirnis, an Bhreatnais, an Mhanainnis agus Gaeilge na hAlban freisin agus tá aitheantas á thabhairt aici don …

Gabhaim buíochas leis na Teachtaí uilig as an díospóireacht chuimsitheach inniu maidir le hiriseoirí in áiteanna ina bhfuil coimhlint iontu timpeall an domhain. I add my condolences to the families of Shireen Abu Akleh and Pierre Zakrzewski and his colleague Oleksandra Kuvshynova. They are three of the most well-known journalists who have been killed in conflict recently. I send sympathies to their families and to the families of the other journalists killed in the Ukraine conflict this year. This is a timely debat…

It is very fitting that today's statements in the Seanad and yesterday's statements in the Dáil coincide with the 50th anniversary of the week in which we held a referendum in Ireland to join the European Economic Community, EEC, as it was known at that time. We voted by 83% in favour and why would we not do so? It was a huge opportunity for us. There was also the reality that our trade with Britain was very high at that time. We were very dependent on Britain, so when it decided to join the EEC, we had no option b…

I am delighted to be here in the Seanad, listening to the debate. As usual with these debates, there have been many facts aired but also some fake news. Senator Flynn was giving us stark facts about the European Union and how ethnic minorities and the Traveller community have been protected by the Union. They continue to be and I pay tribute to the chief executive of the European Fundamental Rights Agency, Professor Michael O'Flaherty from Galway, who is based in Vienna and who has done so much work on Traveller an…

It is particularly fitting that today's statements coincide with a most important anniversary, that is, the 50th anniversary of when Ireland voted 83% in favour of joining the then European Economic Community, EEC. Support for our EU membership has been consistent since then; in fact, it has increased to 88%. The Government's EU50 programme this year will provide opportunities to reflect on our membership. Yesterday, ministerial colleagues and I celebrated Europe Day by visiting, together with ambassadors, a number…

That is not correct.

We have spent more.

We have done a lot more.

We have had some interesting contributions, but to be honest, at some points this debate has been a fact-free zone. I refer to Deputy Michael Collins and funding for piers in Cork this year from the European Brexit adjustment fund. He came in and made a point that a pier was not funded, when only a few weeks ago the most money ever was given to piers in Ireland, including Cork and his constituency, from the Brexit adjustment fund. It is a major victory for the Government, the Minister, Deputy McConalogue, and our m…

Why is there a ban in Northern Ireland on the burning of turf? In large parts of north Europe it is illegal to burn turf.